 Insight from the Creators of
A Comprehensive Guide to 401(k) PlansNIPA recently launched a new online certificate course, A Comprehensive Guide to 401(k) Plans. This course was created in partnership with IRI, a firm with extensive retirement and employee benefits expertise and industry insight.
Why was A Comprehensive Guide to 401(k) Plans certificate course developed?
A Comprehensive Guide to 401(k) Plans was developed to provide essential 401(k) education in a manner that is convenient, flexible, and cost-effective. 401(k) plans have clearly become the most popular employer-sponsored savings arrangement. While these plans offer tremendous benefits, they can be complex to sell and to administer. Retirement plan professionals that have a solid foundation in the regulatory framework and operational requirements applicable to 401(k) plans are better able to deliver top quality services to their 401(k) clients. Even retirement professionals that focus on a narrow range of 401(k) support services (e.g., compliance testing, investment support) benefit from a broader understanding of 401(k) plan in order to understand how their particular role impacts the entire health of the 401(k) plan.
Tapping into the deep regulatory consulting expertise and in-house recordkeeping experience of Integrated Retirement Initiatives (IRI), the program is delivered in 16 modules that can be completed at a pace that fits each student. Available via the Web, the program can be accessed when and where it is most convenient for the student.
What type of retirement plan professionals would benefit from enrolling in A Comprehensive Guide to 401(k) Plans?
The program serves as an excellent tool for those new to working with 401(k) plans. Employees of third party administrators and record keepers, as well as financial advisers that work with 401(k) plans would benefit from this program. The program is also well-suited to retirement professionals that need a refresher or wish to take their retirement plan knowledge to a deeper level. With the broad list of topics covered in the program, students who complete the program will have a thorough understanding of the workings of 401(k) operations and compliance requirements.
What topics will be addressed in this course?
The course walks the student through every significant stage in the life of a 401(k) plan - from plan establishment through plan terminations. Key topics addressed in the program include:
- Popular 401(k) plan design options
- Plan establishment procedures
- Eligibility and vesting calculations
- Contribution and deduction limits
- Compliance testing
- Distribution and loan options
- Government reporting
- Plan correction strategies
- Plan termination
What will participants take away from this course?
We believe retirement professionals who complete the program will not only master the technical rules governing 401(k) plans, they will gain an understanding of the real-world, practical application of those rules. Through extensive examples and case studies, the program illustrates both the benefits and the challenges faced by 401(k) plans. Retirement plan professionals who have a more comprehensive understanding of the issues faced by their retirement plan clients will ultimately be more effective in delivering their services to their plan clients. Because the 401(k) rules are constantly changing and evolving, retirement professionals must be life-long learners with the ability to research issues that arise in their practice. To address this need, the program includes a Resource Guide with citations to the key sections of the Internal Revenue Code, ERISA, and regulations affecting 401(k) plans. The Resource Guide also provides links to IRS and DOL resources that are available to retirement plan professionals.
For more information about NIPA's A Comprehensive Guide to 401(k) Plans or other certificate programs, click here.
Enroll today!
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